NBA News: Returning Lakers Guard May Be Overlooked Chip In Rivalry With Nets

Wayne Ellington is one of several returning players for the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he played for during the 2014-15 NBA season.

The 33-year-old made it clear that he wanted to join a contender squad. An option for the 6-foot-4 guard was the Brooklyn Nets.

But in the end, Wayne Ellington opted to rejoin the Lakers over the Nets. He shed more light on that decision when he spoke on the “Noble and Roosh Show” recently.

“Brooklyn was one. But LA was just too good of a situation for me. Obviously, Brooklyn already has some shooters that do some similar things like I do in Joe Harris and a couple of other guys as well that they have. It was an easy decision for me,” Ellington explained.

But aside from that, it appears the level of interest the Lakers showed in him also played a role.

He had conversations before officially signing up and felt that LA was the perfect fit for him–at least for the coming NBA season.

“I had conversations with some of the guys on the team. It just felt like it was a perfect fit at the perfect timing. I felt like what I bring to the table was needed with the roster that was being put together, the roster that they had especially after [guard] Russ[ell Westbrook] came aboard. My shooting and my movement without the ball is something that will definitely be a complement to this roster,” the veteran shooter stated.

Shooting is something that the Lakers need and Ellington can address that need. He owns a 38.2% three-point shooting clip, giving head coach Frank Vogel a reliable player who is likely to come off the bench.

Ellington’s best years were with the Miami Heat, where he played for three seasons. In that span, he averaged 10.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per Basketball Reference.

Aside from his 38.4% clip from beyond-the-arc during that time, the 28th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft also shot 56.3% from the field.